Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged the United States to revoke its terrorism warning immediately after the arrest of a suspected Hezbollah member linked to sabotage attempts in Bangkok.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Photo AFP)
Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said on Monday Ms Yingluck made the call when she invited him to report on the alert situation after Washington warned of terrorist threats in Bangkok.
He quoted Ms Yingluck as saying the warning, if prolonged, will damage the country.
US embassy spokesman Walter Braunohler said the terrorist warning for American citizens has remained valid despite the arrest and discovery of an apparent bomb factory.
Gen Yutthasak said the issue had been discussed at a one-hour meeting between Gen Nipat Thonglek, director of the Defence Ministry's Policy and Planning Office, and Col Edward Swanda, chief of JUSMAGTHAI, the US Security Assistance Organisation in Thailand, and the US military attache on Monday afternoon.
The meeting discussed three main issues involving US embassy procedures in issuing security advisories to American citizens - the terrorist threat; coordination between the US embassy and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and future procedures for effective communication between Thai and US authorities in the event of a terrorist attack.
Col Swanda will report on the meeting to US ambassador to Thailand, Kristie Kenney, while Gen Yutthasak has discussed it with Ms Yingluck, Defence spokesman Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng said.